The Enchanting Rhine with AmaWaterways
(20 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Adrianne Raia
Visalia, CA
Family Vacations
Family is the cornerstone of our business, and we believe there is nothing more valuable then the times we spend together. With years of expertise in the industry, we are dedicated to crafting tailor-made itineraries that cater to the unique inter...
Family is the cornerstone of our business, and we believe there is nothing more valuable then the times we spend together. With years of expertise in the industry, we are dedicated to crafting tailor-made itineraries that cater to the unique interests and preferences of each family. We understand the importance of making memories that last a lifetime and go above and beyond to ensure that every trip is filled with fun, adventure, and meaningful moments. Whether it's a beach getaway, a cultural immersion, or an outdoor adventure, Carry On Vacation is your go-to travel agency for an exceptional family vacation.
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A river cruise is a journey not like any other, and while it shares traits with an ocean cruise or land tour, a river cruise is the best of both worlds, an experience not to be missed. As they say, an Ocean Cruise takes you to a country, a river cruise takes you THROUGH it.
This was my second trip on the Rhine with AmaWaterways, and I asked several of my friends to join me and my family. The addition of their company magnified the enjoyment of our trip tenfold. I can't imagine traveling any other way now. We started off in Zurich, then took the train to Basel, taking in the countryside sights as we went. We checked in to our ship and went off to explore the city. Basel has a rich history, dating back to Roman times, full of art, history and culture. The city still had many of its decorations up for the Christmas holidays, adding to the beauty of the many squares.
One of the best parts of river cruising? While we slept, our ship sailed on so we could wake up in a new city. Our cruise director had discovered a Christmas Market still open past the season, and arranged for us to visit! All excursions are included in an AmaWaterways cruise, so it was an easy decision to make. Colmar, France is a small town considered to be the capitol of Alsatian Wine. There were several booths with Vin Chaud, and we made sure we got our sample and Collectible Mug along the way, with some fresh Gingerbread to match. Stopping here was a pleasant surprise, and only the first.
The next morning, we were treated to the news that we could choose to visit Baden-Baden. We were docked until late evening in Strasbourg, so we took the opportunity to go see the city long known for its Roman Baths. Baden-Baden drew people from all countries and cultures, and its shows in the style of the town, so different from surrounding areas. It is definitely on my list to go back and visit again. We picked up our second Collectible Christmas Market mug and made off with some more local treats. After lunch, we took transportation into Strasbourg, home to one of my favorite Cathedrals. I have seen many, from Notre Dame in Paris, to the Duomo in Milan, but something about this one in Strasbourg draws me like no other. Maybe it is the difference in color, or the story of how the town stood up to Hitler, trying to preserve the art found within. Whatever it is, I challenge you to see it yourself and not be awestruck by it.
The next day we went to Heidelberg. This is one of my favorite stops along the Rhine. The Castle itself is beautiful, but the views it affords over the town and the river is stunning. From there, it is a short walk down into Heidelberg itself, where you can stroll the cobblestone streets and explore. There were still some remnants of the Holiday Market, so another Collectible Mug was purchased, but the main goal was a visit to the Kathe Wolfhart Christmas Store. For anyone who likes Christmas, this store is the Holy Grail. Filled with a wide array of ornaments, Santas and more, it is a true Christmas lovers dream, and the reason I take an extra suitcase.
We sailed through dinner to the town of Rudesheim, where we have an overnight stay. That evening, we took the town train to a little restaurant for the local specialty, Rudesheim Coffee. The ritual of making it is something special, so I will save the surprise for you. The experience is one of my favorites.The next day, several excursions were available in town, either biking, wine tasting, or a vist to Sigfrid's Mechanical Music Cabinet. It doesn't sound like much, but I guarantee you'll enjoy what you see there.
The next part of our sailing was what most people come for--the Rhine Gorge. We lucked out and had beautiful weather as we sat on the top deck. Over the next three hours, we saw 40 different castles perched up on the cliffs of the Gorge. There are no words to describe the feeling of this experience. It almost feels like you have gone back in time. Just amazing.
Our next stop was also a surprise. We docked in Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet for our New Year's Eve. From our deck, we were able to see the city explode with fireworks and celebration. There was no official show, just citizens gathering for the first time in three years in jubilation. The experience was truly once-in-a-lifetime.
The next day found us in Cologne, Germany. We were treated to the local Kolsch Beer and Potato soup before shopping our way through the Winter Market. The last Collectible Christmas Mug was purchased for the trip, but I look forward to collecting more the next visit. We noshed on Potato Pancakes, local sausages and Raclette before heading on.
Our last day was in Amsterdam, one of my favorite cities to visit. We found a Festival of Lights tour, special to the season, that took us on a night tour through the canals of the city. Amsterdam is one of the few places I've been that is just as beautiful in the night as the day and well worth the visit. It was the perfect end to our vacation.